Dive Review of
Bon Bini/Lion's Dive in
Bonaire

 Extensive Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean 

Dive Conditions

Maximum 100' recommendation for boat dives, otherwise none.  

Bon Bini boats carried a small ice chest for fresh water rinse, which was
grossly inadequate. Even small rigs like Nikonos or Motormarine/single
strobe setups were a tight fit. Housed cameras could not be rinsed. Dive
crew sometimes stacked cameras on top of each other to the point that the
uppermost cameras were not close to the rinse water.  

Overall Rating

My experience with American Airlines (Miami/San Jaun/Bonaire itinerary)
makes me long for the days of ALM. Late flights, cancelled flights, endless
delays, and lame excuses (we're waiting for someone to put 2 quarts of oil
in our right engine [snicker, snicker]). There were 16 divers in our group
and not a single checked bag arrived with us. Attempts to contact the
airline on the island failed, and even attampts to track the bags from a
representative in Miami were fruitless. However, the bags arrived on the
next evening's flight. We noticed that about 15 folks from that arriving
flight did not have their luggage, so it seems that the American Eagle
flight from San Juan operates on a day-late schedule for luggage. We told
Bon Bini of our plight, were set up with rudimentary gear, and were charged
full price for the rental. The house reef from Buddy Dive to Capt. Don's is
pretty ragged, but it's still an interesting dive. Reefs on Klein and
elsewhere looked as pristine as ever to me despite reports of damage from
sewage. Friendly staff. Lion's Den restaurant is excellent. I've been to
Bonaire many times, and I still enjoy the island and the diving, but I
won't return until better air service is available. 

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